When the real estate market is competitive, investors must be careful about what they pay for a property. Bidding wars and high costs can cause what would have been a good investment opportunity to turn into a real dud. That said, protecting your cash flow depends on far more than what you pay at closing. It’s more than the rental rates you set. No – protecting and maximizing passive income has far more to do with your strategic choices and due diligence.

Experienced real estate investors know even small factors can make or break their wealth-building efforts. While broadly, that single factor is due diligence, we want to get a little more specific. We’re talking about what your residents really want.

Plenty of inexperienced real estate investors choose to fly solo. They imagine doing it all themselves will save money and leave more rental income in their pocket each month. While this is true, their overall portfolio will suffer in the end. Doing it alone stunts and limits your growth, which is critical for building lasting wealth across multiple income streams.

Real estate investors all know that resident retention is essential. Property vacancies are costly not only for the lack of rental income but also for the costs associated with filling that vacancy. Reducing turnover is often a matter you can control and adjust as you go. Sometimes, however, investors hurt their chances from the start.

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Right now, investors want to ensure that any property they own or acquire maximizes its potential. After all, the investment market is less forgiving these days. Every decision counts!

Building a real estate investment empire isn’t about owning the most properties, charging the highest rates, or investing in the most luxurious markets. Success as an SFR investor comes through a high level of service and consistency. Your greatest asset apart from your properties is the people inhabiting them.

If you’re reading this, you’re either interested in or already investing in buy-and-hold rental properties. You’re in this thing for the long haul.

The customer experience is often overlooked in business simply because it's difficult to quantify. With that said, it’s no less a vital part to your success as a real estate investor. Rental vacancies are extremely costly and the way you maximize your property’s income-earning potential is by minimizing turnover as much as possible.

While reducing rental property turnover is key to maximizing your cash flow, it’s also the inevitable reality of owning a rental. While you can’t avoid turnover from time-to-time, you can take proactive steps to avoid lengthy vacancies and delays. When you do, you’ll bounce back better than ever.